‘They carried on punching me and I just remember curling up in a ball trying to protect myself.’

The burglars then left the house, leaving Danielle with bruises to her cheekbone and head and scratches on her neck. She added: ‘I can’t remember if I lost consciousness but I don’t know where the scratches came from. I don’t remember.’

Danielle’s mum Kim said she was stunned by what happened.

‘I am trying to stay strong for Danielle but I can’t believe what happened,’ she said.

‘When we got home, her face looked horrendous.’

Police are appealing for any witnesses who might have seen the men, who were white, aged about 17 or older, and wearing dark hooded tops and grey tracksuit bottoms.

Detective Constable Jamie Fagan said: ‘The offenders acted in a spineless, despicable way, attacking a teenage girl and continuing to assault her when they could have made their escape without causing injury.’

Anyone with information should contact Det Con Fagan at Fratton police station by calling 101.